For those of you who have been keeping up with the Olympics, I don’t think you can argue with me when I say it has been quite a success for American athletes. From Michael Phelps winning his 28th medal, 23 of which are gold, to Simone Biles nailing her performance and securing her fourth gold medal in the women’s individual floor exercise for the US, the Summer Games have been a relieving display of national pride at a time when political turmoil and global chaos seem at an all-time high.
While our nation’s wins and record-breaking performances do not surprise me, it is surely a good time to recognize all the talented athletes we have. Michelle Carter became the first US woman to win gold in shot put. Allyson Felix took home a silver medal in the 400M, making her the most decorated female track athlete in US Olympic history. Brianna Rollins won a gold medal in the women’s 100M hurdles. Sarah Robles won the first weightlifting medal since 2000 for the US. Katie Ledecky took home four gold and two silver medals, set a new world record in the 800-meter freestyle, and was greeted by friends and family upon her arrival back home to Washington D.C.
The US has won 94 medals in total, including 31 gold, 32 silver, and 31 bronze. Now there’s some national pride for you. But, it doesn’t have to be all about the shiny medals we bring home. One thing I love most about the Olympics is the spirit and enthusiasm for our country’s athletes. It makes the Olympics that much more powerful to watch. I have a friend who is currently interning at the Games in Rio, and her Snapchat videos of American athletes and events where audience members are shouting for Michael Phelps to reach the finish line are absolutely amazing. Simone Biles’s celebrity crush, Zac Efron, even came to visit and cheer her on – go USA!
I was also recently at a NY Mets game in Queens, and although the Mets lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks (no surprise there), the game was awesome. When it became clear in the sixth inning that the Mets were going downhill, the live stream of Phelps swimming to the finish line appeared on the billboard; and within seconds the crowd awakened from its slump and started chanting “USA,” “USA." It was a pretty unbeatable moment to see people get hyped about our country, especially after watching the Mets lose miserably. And seeing these enthusiastic American audiences has made me even more excited to study abroad in Argentina and watch the Argentines get pumped about their athletes and their culture. Maybe I can catch a glimpse of the Boca Juniors while there...
